I had the pleasure of meeting CAPT Ned Beach once. We had touched briefly on the subject of THRESHER and he was irritated by the way the Navy had renamed the class.

He thought it to be a slap at those on eternal patrol THRESHER and a way of 'erasing' history.

Ever read "The THRESHER Disaster"? Her Reactor Control Officer, LCDR McCoole (then a LT) was pretty outspoken on the shabby work done on her at Portsmouth. McCoole was a Mustang, an IC man that was an ITC(SS) aboard NAUTILUS than was commissioned.

He was critical of the workmanship in THRESHER to the brass right after her accident, as a result his career was shot to hell.

903
posted on 01/10/2005 5:52:15 AM PST
by fastattacksailor
(The US without the UN is like not having your mother-in-law with you on your honeymoon)

Although I am no longer a submariner officially, I'm still a submariner at heart, and that heart goes out to my shipmates on the San Fran. I served with a sonarman who transferred over to the San Fran as she was leaving for Guam.

A few weeks before that happened, there was another death on that boat. An FT died in his sleep while underway. They found him in his rack when he didn't report for watch. Almost like that boat has a curse on it or something.

God bless the men of the San Francisco. God bless the men of the Silent Service.

907
posted on 01/10/2005 6:16:25 AM PST
by Hostel
(You can find all of this information on the net. GOD BLESS GOOGLE!)

There are no expiration dates on Dolphins!! Are you a member of USSVI? (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc) If not go to www.ussvi.org and join up, join over 11,000 of your shipmates. We have a national convention each year, there is the American Submariner Magazine that comes with the membership and most important, the fellowship and brotherhood. Be with and talk to guys who understand what you've done and where you have been.

The fwd hull on a 688 is usually "up" at almost a 8-10 degree slant, with about 1/5 of the GRP sonat dome exposed - all of that is underwater in this picture. Look at a photo of a "normal" 688 floating: you'll see an amazing difference.

Stock photos USS San Fransico Compare the stock 688 photos with the USS SF and compare the freeboard. That sub is hurtin'.

910
posted on 01/10/2005 7:06:05 AM PST
by jriemer
(We are a Republic not a Democracy)

A friend of the family was a yardbird at EB when THRESHER went for permanent repair following her damage by a tug at Port Canveral. He said the same thing about all the problems THRESHER had with PNSY workmanship. I felt that he was being honest, but wasn't sure how much rivalry between EB and PNSY figured into it.

913
posted on 01/10/2005 7:30:56 AM PST
by fastattacksailor
(The US without the UN is like not having your mother-in-law with you on your honeymoon)

When I was at new construction at EB there was no love lost between Portsmouth and EB, though there were a few problems at EB as well. We had one major incident of sabotage when a major wire way was completely cut through very carefully right under a holding strap.

The result of the Thresher sinking was Portsmouth never built another boat. They completed what was on their ways and all the work they got after that was repair after an extensive retraining program.

Rickover was always going through the yard looking at everything. He rode each boat on it's first sea trial. He was aboard for 3 days. Hated officers always had time for the enlisted as long as they knew their stuff. He realized that the crew operated the sub not the officers. He was exacting though.

EB did a good job on us despite the fact that the push was to get the boomers out the door. We were one of only 3 fast boats there and were the oldest design. Sturgeon and Narwhal were the other two. NR-1 was there, too.

Thresher did some remarkable things as a test platform before she sank like being the subject of an intense depth charging to test shock mountings and floating decks.

Yes. The collision was to the bow and the outer hull is heavily damaged. My son said they had to run it with the nose slightly down. You'll have to excuse my ignorance about the parts of a boat; I was Army and a draftee at that.

My son said everybody worked very hard getting her back to port. He worked 33 hours before grabbing a few winks and then somebody dropped something on the deck above his rack and he jumped out of his rack before he realized that they were running on the surface and very slow.

Thank God the crew survived to be able to tell this story. God bless the soul of the sailor who died and may his family find peace of mind.

You have nothing to apologise for---I'm glad that your son is OK. Please be sure to let him know that he and his shipmates are VERY much in all our prayers. Their hard work bringing SAN FRANCISCO home makes all submariners proud of them.

G-D bless!

FAS

916
posted on 01/10/2005 8:36:49 AM PST
by fastattacksailor
(The US without the UN is like not having your mother-in-law with you on your honeymoon)

Almighty, Everlasting God, the Protector of all those who put their trust in Thee: hear our prayers in behalf of Thy servants who sail their vessels beneath the seas. We beseech Thee to keep in Thy sustaining care all who are in submarines, that they may be delivered from the hidden dangers of the deep. Grant them courage, and a devotion to fulfill their duties, that they may better serve Thee and their native land. Though acquainted with the depths of the ocean, deliver them from the depths of despair and the dark hours of the absence of friendliness and grant them a good ship's spirit. Bless all their kindred and loved ones from whom they are separated. When they surface their ships, may they praise Thee for Thou art there as well as in the deep. Fill them with Thy Spirit that they may be sure in their reckonings, unwavering in duty, high in purpose, and upholding the honor of their nation.

Amen the submariner's prayer - author unknown

917
posted on 01/10/2005 8:51:47 AM PST
by HipShot
("Remember the first rule of gunfighting... have a gun." --Colonel Jeff Cooper)

It depends on the results of the investigation. If it is determined there were no obstructions mapped in the area and there was no way the incident could have been anticipated, the officer's career will not be adversely affected. Even so, I imagine he feels awful about it happening. My prayers and thoughts are with all of them.

The forward MBT's must be barely operational. 688's sit really high forward. I can tell by the snorkel mast being bumped and the bubbly wake forward that they must have the LP blower on the tanks continuously.

These guys just proved American seamanship is the best in world. It must have been a super hard job to get that boat in port.

Hats off to every one of them, and God bless the casualties of this tragedy.

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